Chapter 5
The Wedding
CAMILLE
“Grandma, are you sure you’re alright out there? Are you taking your medicines and vitamins? And please don’t overwork yourself on the farm. I already spoke with Daisy–she can handle things while I’m gone.
“Oh, darling, quit fussing over me. I’m fine as a fiddle. You just enjoy yourself there. You can even stay a little longer if you want. We’ll manage just fine. Noah drops by often, you know, Call him Camille. He says you’re not answering his messages or picking up his calls.”
I bit my lip and swallowed the lump in my throat at the mention of Noah–my best friend. “Oh, I will, Grandma. It’s just that I’m always out whenever he calls. I’ve been so busy traveling here and there.”
“I see. At least George is doing his best to reconnect with you–something he should’ve done long ago. And how about Callie! How’s she doing?”
George Collins reconnecting with me? As if He didn’t even bother to call
me when I ended up trapped here in Liam’s castle.
I clenched my fists, stopping myself from sighing as I stared at the wedding gown before me, which was supposed to be Callie’s “She’s not here, Grandma. She’s off on vacation.”
“Oh. I hope you’ll bring her here when you come back. I can’t wait to see her.
“Grandma I’m here!
My eyes widened at the sound of Noah’s voice in the background. ‘Grandma, I’ve got to go–d–dad’s already here. We’re heading out. See you soon. love you.
I hurriedly ended the call before she could say another word and turned off my phone.
I’ve been avoiding Noah, I’ve always been honest with him, and I’m afraid that if I talk to him now, I won’t be able to stop myself from telling him everything that for the past five days, I’ve been stuck in a place I don’t know and don’t feel at home in.
The house Liam Anderson owns screams wealth and luxury. I have a huge room and a walk–in closet full of clothes, jewelry, high–end bags, and shoes that I know belong to Callie,
But it feels like a prison, and I am its prisoner. I can roam the halls but can’t step outside this mansion. Liam’s security ensures that
I miss the flower farm–the smell of Hudson, my people, and how I used to watch the sunrise every morning
I sighed, walking toward the oversized window. The weather’s perfect. and it’s my wedding day.
I’m getting married today.
When I was little, I dreamed of this day. I imagined myself marrying on the flower farm, with Grandma walking me down the aisle toward the man I’d spend the rest of my life with.
That’s the marriage I wanted, and this is the marriage I’m getting.
I’m becoming a substitute wife
That’s who I’ll be starting today.
At least the farm will be saved and maybe Callie will come back. When that happens, I’ll return to my normal life.
As the helper comes in and starts dressing me for the ceremony, I keep telling myself this. It’s the only way I can keep from crying.
“You are so beautiful, Miss Camille, and the wedding gown suits you, they praised. All I could manage was a small smile as I stared at myself in the mirror, wearing this wedding KONTE
I heard it’s vintage, once worn by Liam’s grandmother. The gown has a fitted lace bodice, long sleeves, and a sweeping train adorned with delicate embroidery. It’s beautiful. If this were the wedding I truly wanted, it would have been perfect.
But it’s not. This isn’t even the wedding gown meant for me.
“Oh my, you’re crying. Miss Camille. I guess you’re feeling emotional—”
The woman’s words trailed off as the others turned to greet the man who had just entered the room.
1/3
Chapter 5
I glanced at him through the mirror. Liam Anderson, dressed in an all–white suit, stood there watching me. His icy green eyes stared at me. No emotion could be seen in it
The staff left us in silence.
As he walked toward me, my heart started beating faster. It had been five days since I last saw him, but the memory of that night was still fresh in my mind–the way he cupped my chin harshly and threatened me.
It gave me nightmares. What he did reminded me of my father, who used to hurt my mother.
1 flinched as his hand lifted, my breath catching. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw an emotion in his eyes–anger mixed with guilt. It was something I couldn’t quite explain. The moment was brief, and his expression quickly turned cold again as he touched my cheek and brushed away the tears that fell
“Scared at me, huh?” he said,
I stayed silent as he moved behind me. Something cold touched my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. Glancing at the mirror. I saw him fastening a stunning blue diamond necklace around my neck.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and rested his chin near mine. “There, perfect. We can go now.”
My body stiffened, and I froze in place as I felt his warm breath against my neck.
Still scared of me, huh? Don’t be… I’m not going to hurt you,” he whispered.
How can I b
believe you?
I wanted to shout those words at him but held myself back.
Hearing no response from me, he straightened and stepped back. Only then did my breathing start to steady.
“Let’s go and get this damn ceremony over with,” he muttered, sighing as though already exhausted. He turned his back on me without another glance.
“C–can I go home after this?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking
He halted but didn’t look back “No”
I already expect the answer, but still…
“But you said I’m just a substitute wife. This marriage isn’t real—”
“A subsutute wife, dolcezza, yes you are,” he interrupted, his voice cold and firm. “But this marriage is real enough; wherever I am, you’ll be there.”
“But my life is in Hudson, my family is there-
He lets out a long sigh as if he’s not up for an argument with me. T’m going to be your husband, and I be your family. Keep that in mind. Now come over here, and let’s start this wedding”
I closed my eyes, wishing for it to be
over.
- r. But this wasn’t the end of the conversation. I was going to make sure of that.
I walked toward him and gathered all my strength as I held his arm and walked with him
The wedding was going to happen in the garden, and I was thankful for that. Marrying him in a church would have made me feel worse.
1 forced myself to smile as the guests clapped their hands as we descended the stair
I spotted my father, who was smiling widely, clapping his hands. I almost stopped myself from throwing the bouquet I was holding at him.
He even had the guts to approach me and kiss my forehead in front of these people.
“I hate you. “I muttered, and he only smiled at me
“You’ll thank me in the future,” he whispered back.
No why would I thank you!
I would have even bowed to you if you had just been a good father and helped without putting me into this deal
“Do you Camilliana Collins, take Liam Anderson to
to be your wedded husband.”
2.3
Chapter 5
I looked at the man before me, wanting to say no and announce to everyone that I was being forced into this wedding, but I remembered my grandmother and how I got here.
“1 do ” I said, almost in a whisper.
And when he also und those two words, I knew there was no way out for me.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife”
He cupped my cheeks and leaned down. I closed my eyes as I felt his lips touch mine.
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